Watauga County Board of Education District #4
PAY ATTENTION: Only those voters living in District #4 will see this race on their ballots. To find out if this race will appear on your ballot, go here: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/ Fill in at least your first and last name and county and submit. Then click on your name. Then scroll down to the category “Your Sample Ballot.” Click on the ballot for the March 3rd primary, and it will show if you are eligible to vote in this race.
NOTE: Candidates are presented in the order they will appear on your ballot. You may vote for one. The top 2 vote getters in the March primary will advance to the November election.
Candidates are presented below in the order they appear on your ballot. While the Watauga Board of Education races are “non-partisan,” I provide candidates’ party affiliations. I believe knowing the party affiliation of a candidate provides context and can suggest how a candidate’s decision-making might be guided by underlying beliefs and principles.
While you will see 4 names on your ballot in this race, there are actually only 3 candidates running for this seat because Betsy Rosenbalm has pulled out of the race. Two of the candidates answered the Pam’s Picks Questionnaire. The third remaining candidate, David Grig, did not answer the questionnaire and is therefore not eligible for endorsement.
I present candidate snapshots below but encourage you to read the candidates’ complete and unedited Pam’s Picks Questionnaire responses in full before deciding who you support. They took a lot of time answering the questions, so you should take some time to read them. There is a direct link to those responses under each candidate snapshot.
Reason for my Endorsement: Both candidates are qualified for a seat on the Board of Education. Both also offered reasonable ideas regarding their priorities for our local schools, about navigating inevitable declining enrollment, teacher and staff retention efforts, ideas to encourage public participation, etc. Both also oppose redirecting money from public to private schools vouchers.
Cole’s experience and background make him the front-runner for the seat. He ran for School Board in 2022 and 2024 and finished strong in both races, just shy of getting the votes for a win. I believe this is the third time I’ve sought his answers to the Pam’s Picks questionnaire, and this is the third time he’s answered the questionnaire even though I’ve never endorsed him. I admire and respect that. Besides, I also believe in 2 Timothy 4:2: “Proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable.”
Kornhauser, at only 31 years old, doesn’t have Cole’s experience, but she makes up for it in passion, talking openly and honestly about her own life story and background. Plus that, young candidates are appealing to me because they are often living the consequences of today’s policies, and they’re less locked into predictable thinking or “how we’ve always done it.” Kornhauser has the credentials for a seat on the Board, and it shows she did her homework in answering the questionnaire. She gets the nod for this for seat primarily for her responses to the two questions where she and Cole split ways:
(1) “Do you support or oppose banning books about LGBTQ lives and/or with LGBTQ characters from public schools?” and (2) “Do you support or oppose NC’s pending House Bill 636 — “Promoting Wholesome Content for Students”.
(1) Do You Support Banning books about LGBTQ lives and/or with LGBTQ characters”
As to his support or opposition to banning books about LGBTQ lives and/or with LGBTQ characters from public schools, Cole skirted the question instead of answering it: “…school libraries exist to provide age-appropriate materials that reflect a wide range of experiences and perspectives. Decisions about instructional and library materials should be guided by established review processes, professional standards, and more importantly parental input.” He adds there should be book review procedures that consider “educational value, age appropriateness, and community standards.” (Which there already are.)
Kornhauser opposes banning books about LGBTQ lives and/or with LGBTQ characters from public schools. Her argument:
(2) “Do you support or oppose NC’s pending House Bill 636 — “Promoting Wholesome Content for Students”?
First some background on this bill. In a nutshell, it would set up a statewide process for approving and removing books and other content in public schools. Schools would be required to follow specific procedures when selecting library books and other media, emphasizing age-appropriateness and educational value. Each public school would create a 10-member committee consisting of 5 parents and 5 school employees to review and approve library materials. Schools would be required to post their selection criteria and lists of recommended materials online and maintain a public database of materials that were rejected. The state would maintain a public database of rejected materials.Then who knows what happens to that database.
Under the bill, parents, teachers, and residents can object to library materials. If there are 10 or more objections, the committee must formally review it. The bill would also allow parents or county residents to sue the school for $5,000 per violation (plus attorney fees) if procedures are violated.
It’s important to note here that Watauga County schools already have a policy and process for the selection of materials to be offered in our public schools:
The County also already offers the opportunity and process for parents to object to any instructional materials: “The principal may establish a committee to review the objection. While input from the community may be sought, the board believes professional educators are in the best position to determine whether a particular instructional material is appropriate for the age and maturity of the students and for the subject matter being taught.”
When asked “Do you support or oppose NC’s pending House Bill 636 — “Promoting Wholesome Content for Students,” Cole doesn’t weigh in at all. Instead he shifts his response to promote his personal values, which is fine and dandy, but doesn’t give the reader any idea as to whether he supports or opposes the bill as a way to promote his values in our public schools:
He adds that he does support a way for parents and others to oppose what they consider inappropriate materials, but doesn’t address whether the state bill in question is the right answer or whether instead the current challenge method instituted by Watauga schools does the job:
Kornhauser is clear. She opposes NC House Bill 636 — “Promoting Wholesome Content for Students,” saying it is out-of-touch with the realities of education and s intentionally vague: “legislation such as House Bill 636 is intended to create a version of history that feels pleasant, but does not teach accuracy or critical thinking skills because it does not challenge students“:
“We have seen that similar bills in other states that are intentionally vague and misleading are used to expand prejudice against marginalized people and to rewrite history to be more comfortable and palatable… legislation such as House Bill 636 is intended to create a version of history that feels pleasant, but does not teach accuracy or critical thinking skills because it does not challenge students.”
Chad Cole (Republican)
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585154476069
You can read Cole’s Pam’s Picks Questionnaire responses HERE.
Cole lives with his family in Vilas and is 43 years old. He is a 2000 graduate of Watauga High School and was a former Fire/EMS Instructor for NC. There’s a revealing and interesting 2013 article about Cole in The Watauga Democrat. At that time, Cole worked at Samaritan’s Purse. Cole’s home church is Willow Valley Baptist Church in Vilas. For the past 10 years he has pastored at Chestnut Dale Baptist Church: “Those who know him say he practices what he preaches.”
If elected, Cole says:
Following is a snapshot of Cole’s questionnaire responses
I encourage you to read Cole’s full and unedited answers by clicking this link
Cole says that education is not a “one size fits all” in the County and that he’ll bring real-world experience, service, budget management, accountability, didaster response skills, and a listening ear to the Board of Education:
Cole believes the most pressing issue facing Watauga County Schools “is retaining and supporting quality teachers and staff while meeting the diverse needs of students with limited resources.” He says he will prioritize teacher retention with “competitive compensation, manageable workloads, and professional development.”
Cole says his #1 priority if elected would be direct support for teachers and instructional staff: “Prioritizing teacher and staff support is the most direct and responsible way to strengthen Watauga County Schools and ensure students receive the education they deserve.”
Cole opposes redirecting funding from North Carolina’s public schools to voucher programs: “Public schools serve every student, regardless of background, ability, or need, and they are accountable to the communities that fund them. When public dollars are diverted to private or charter options, it reduces the resources available for the vast majority of students who remain in public schools— particularly in rural counties like Watauga, where alternatives may be limited or inaccessible.” He also opposes lowering the percentage of North Carolina’s Education Lottery revenue allocated to public schools and asserts that those “funding commitments should be honored and used as intended.”
Cole acknowledges that “declining enrollment is a serious challenge because it directly affects state funding, staffing, and long-term planning. In Watauga County.” He believes the School Board could be encourage parents to support Watauga County public schools by “supporting strong teachers, maintaining safe and welcoming schools, and ensuring academic programs meet the needs of today’s students.” He importantly would also support expanding programs that “connect education to real-world skills and career pathways, such as career and technical education and partnerships with local businesses and community colleges.”
As to his support or opposition to banning books about LGBTQ lives and/or with LGBTQ characters from public schools, Cole skirted the question instead of answering it: “…school libraries exist to provide age-appropriate materials that reflect a wide range of experiences and perspectives. Decisions about instructional and library materials should be guided by established review processes, professional standards, and more importantly parental input.” He adds there should be book review procedures that consider “educational value, age appropriateness, and community standards.”
Cole would increase public participation with local schools by better two-way communication between schools and the community and strengthen partnerships with local organizations. He would also expand volunteer programs and surveys..
Betsy Rosenbalm (Withdrawn from the ballot)
Although her name will appear on your ballot, per the Watauga County Board of Elections, Rosenbalm has withdrawn from the race.
Megan (Chayyim) Kornhauser (Unaffiliated)
https://www.facebook.com/kornhausermr
You can read Kornhauser’s Pam’s Picks Questionnaire responses HERE.
Kornhauser is 31 years old and a graduate of Watauga School and a life-long resident in the County. Her father served as a school resource officer at Watauga High School, and her mother as a teacher’s assistant in a Watauga County elementary school. Kornhauser graduated in 2018 from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology then also graduated from the Citadel and the College of Charleston (2022) with a Master’s of Arts in History a Master of Education in Educational Leadership. .
Kornhauser currently works as a Disability Resource Coordinator at ASU and as an adjunct humanities instructor at a local community college. She is certified and licensed for mental health first aid and suicide prevention. She says she can share perspectives for the local school board regarding “students who struggle in foundational skills that they missed from public education. “
Following is a snapshot of Kornhauser’s questionnaire responses
I encourage you to read Kornhauser’s full and unedited answers by clicking this link
Kornhauser says she agrees with The Across the Aisle 2026 Nationwide Education Survey that identified three priorities in public education: “hiring quality teachers, teaching practical skills, and addressing the increasing rates of students who are not reading at grade level:”
If elected, Kornhouser’s #1 priority would be finding the funds to “attract and retain strong, high quality personnel,” teachers and staff. She opposes re-directing funding from NC public schools to the state’s (voucher) programs. “Vouchers take away critical funding from our public schools that limit schools’ ability to provide the tools that ensure student success and access to food assistance programs, mental healthcare, afterschool programming, and a high quality education…. Students deserve to have textbooks that are current, buildings that are safe, classrooms with necessary supplies, and hot food available in the cafeteria.”
Kornhauser opposes lowering the percentage of NC’s Education Lottery revenue that was earmarked for public education:
Kornhauser says it’s likely K-12 public school enrollment will continue to decline. She suggests the Board develop a “strategic investment of funds in critical areas within the school system…. All of the schools presiding in District 4 – Green Valley, Cove Creek, and Mabel – have more than half of the students receiving free or reduced lunches.”
Kornhauser opposes NC House Bill 636 — “Promoting Wholesome Content for Students,” saying it is out-of-touch with the realities of education and s intentionally vague: “legislation such as House Bill 636 is intended to create a version of history that feels pleasant, but does not teach accuracy or critical thinking skills because it does not challenge students“:
“We have seen that similar bills in other states that are intentionally vague and misleading are used to expand prejudice against marginalized people and to rewrite history to be more comfortable and palatable… legislation such as House Bill 636 is intended to create a version of history that feels pleasant, but does not teach accuracy or critical thinking skills because it does not challenge students.”
Kornhauser also opposes banning books about LGBTQ lives and/or with LGBTQ characters from public schools:
To increase public participation with local schools, Kornhauser, like other candidates, suggests more open outreach with teachers, students, and the public at large: “I think outreach to people within our county to help everyone understand they play a vital role in our civic system is important. Education impacts us all, whether we have attended a school in Watauga County or not or whether we have children in the school system or not.”
David Aaron Grig (Unaffiliated)
https://www.facebook.com/davidaaron.grig
I could find virtually nothing on Grig, and he did not answer the Pam’s Picks Questionnaire and is therefore not eligible for endorsement.
According to his Facebook site, Grig is a single parent of a son and was “forced to the street at 17 I have a home now I’m going to fight2keep it.” He says his priority is “ensuring children receive a strong education grounded in constitutional principles, proper nutrition, and meaningful community-based activities. Academic and extracurricular programs must never override fundamental protections such as due process. I also advocate for increased opportunities for students to spend time in appropriate real-world settings, such as agricultural environments, to balance classroom learning with practical life experiences.“
Grig writes a very long post on this Facebook page about why he is running for a seat of the Board of Education. The post is too long to post here, but you can read it on his site.